The use of more words than are necessary to make sense; redundancy.
For example:
"In formal, written English, writers should avoid engaging in redundant, tautological pleonasm whenever possible."
Here, the description of pleonasm as "redundant" and "tautological" is, in fact, a pleonasm. How clever!
Examples
Frost:
Lines 16-17 from "A Considerable Speck"
"It seemed too tiny to have room for feet,
Yet must have had a set of them complete."
Pleonasm's most obvious function here is to adhere to the simple binary rhyming scheme of the poem. Additionally, however, it serves to reflect the completeness of the speck's small, but "considerable" existence. Frost uses pleonasm here to emphasize that the speck is indeed a complete, functioning animal by somewhat redundantly describing the set of legs as "complete".
King Lear:
Act I, scene i, lines 223-233; Cordelia's first argument with King Lear.
"CORDELIA
I yet beseech your majesty,
If for I want that glib and oily art
To speak and purpose not since what I well intend
I'll do't before I speak, that you make known
It is no vicious blot, murder or foulness,
No unchaste action or dishonored step,
That hath deprived me of your grace and favour;
But even for want of that for which I am richer -
A still-soliciting eye, and such a tongue
That I am glad I have not, though not to have it
Hath lost me in your liking."
Shakespeare's use of pleonasm here helps characterize Cordelia as an articulate, intelligent character. This characterization is significant in this section of the play so that Cordelia's reasons for refusing to shower her father with praise can be made clear - Cordelia's intelligent-sounding speech suggests that she is acting intentionally, on principle, rather than foolishness.
Pleonasm
Definition
The use of more words than are necessary to make sense; redundancy.For example:
"In formal, written English, writers should avoid engaging in redundant, tautological pleonasm whenever possible."
Here, the description of pleonasm as "redundant" and "tautological" is, in fact, a pleonasm. How clever!
Examples
Frost:
Lines 16-17 from "A Considerable Speck""It seemed too tiny to have room for feet,
Yet must have had a set of them complete."
Pleonasm's most obvious function here is to adhere to the simple binary rhyming scheme of the poem. Additionally, however, it serves to reflect the completeness of the speck's small, but "considerable" existence. Frost uses pleonasm here to emphasize that the speck is indeed a complete, functioning animal by somewhat redundantly describing the set of legs as "complete".
King Lear:
Act I, scene i, lines 223-233; Cordelia's first argument with King Lear."CORDELIA
I yet beseech your majesty,
If for I want that glib and oily art
To speak and purpose not since what I well intend
I'll do't before I speak, that you make known
It is no vicious blot, murder or foulness,
No unchaste action or dishonored step,
That hath deprived me of your grace and favour;
But even for want of that for which I am richer -
A still-soliciting eye, and such a tongue
That I am glad I have not, though not to have it
Hath lost me in your liking."
Shakespeare's use of pleonasm here helps characterize Cordelia as an articulate, intelligent character. This characterization is significant in this section of the play so that Cordelia's reasons for refusing to shower her father with praise can be made clear - Cordelia's intelligent-sounding speech suggests that she is acting intentionally, on principle, rather than foolishness.